ANKARA, 27 October 2021: Turkey’s unflinching support for the Jammu & Kashmir dispute was once again reiterated at an event organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara today. Chairman of the Turkey-Pakistan Friendship Group in the Turkish Parliament Mr. Ali Şahin was the chief guest.
Messages of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out by Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Arshad Jan Pathan. Pakistani leadership in their messages reiterated Pakistan’s political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir until the resolution of the dispute according to the aspirations of the Kashmiris.
Parliamentarian Mr. Ali Şahin, in his remarks said occupation of Kashmir continues for over 74 years. Mr. Ali Şahin underlined that the Turkish nation would always stand with the oppressed Kashmiris in their struggle for the right of self-determination.
“What Palestine is for Turkey, Kashmir is the same; children of Srinagar are the children of Ankara; Kashmiri mothers are the mothers of Turkey; birds and flowers of Kashmir are the birds and flowers of Anadolu,’ said Ali Şahin. He reiterated Turkey’s unwavering support until the Kashmir dispute is resolved peacefully according to the United Nations Security Council Resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi in his remarks said that 27 October is observed as “Black Day” to mark that infamous day in 1947, when Indian forces landed in Srinagar to occupy and oppress the innocent people of IIOJK in a blatant violation of international law. This day marked the beginning of a long night of oppression for the Kashmiris under Indian occupation and a grave human tragedy that continues to this very day. He stated that the 1947 folly and fraud of Indian leaders continues to haunt the regional peace and stability in South Asia and the persistent Indian atrocities in IIOJK is a question mark on international standards of human rights.
While urging the international community to fulfil its moral and legal obligation of giving Kashmiris their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with UNSC resolutions, he said that every free and fair mind will always support the Kashmiri cause for freedom. He thanked the people and leadership of Turkey for its principled position and continuous support on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, particularly President Erdogan for highlighting the Kashmir issue in his address during the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Turkey’s leading think-tank Economic & Social Research Centre (ESAM) will also host a seminar in the evening to commemorate Kashmir Black Day.